JP2003060737A - Portable electronic equipment and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable electronic equipment capable of setting suitable volume in accordance with a user environment. SOLUTION: This portable electronic equipment for converting an electric signal into a sound is provided with an inputting part 140 for acquiring a frequency for measuring an ambient noise level in each different time zone from the outside, a noise measuring part 160 for using the frequency acquired by the inputting part 140 to measure a noise level, a reception speaker 110 being a sound supply source for generating a sound, and a controlling part 190 for controlling the volume of a sound generated from the reception speaker 110 on the basis of the noise level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a portable electronic device and its control program. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable electronic device that changes the volume according to the ambient noise level and its control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique for changing the volume of a portable electronic device according to the ambient noise level is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-2529.
87 and JP-A-11-4281. JP-A-6
-252987 discloses a telephone that changes the volume of a transmitted sound and the volume of a received sound according to the current time. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-4281 discloses a telephone that switches the listening volume according to ambient noise or ambient brightness.

[0003]

When carrying a portable electronic device at all times, an unsuitable scene may occur only by adjusting the listening volume according to the ambient noise level. For example, in the work space and the living space, different listening volumes are desired even with the same noise level.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device and a control program therefor capable of solving the above problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in independent claims of the invention. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

[0005]

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, wherein the frequency of measuring the ambient noise level is externally determined for each time zone. Using the input unit to be acquired and the frequency acquired by the input unit, a noise measuring unit that measures the noise level, a sound source unit that generates a sound, and a volume of the sound that is generated from the sound source unit, Provided is a portable electronic device including a control unit that changes based on a noise level.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, wherein at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit of the volume of the voice corresponding to the ambient noise level is used. An input section to be set by a user, a noise measuring section for measuring the noise level, a sound source section for generating a voice, and the sound generated from the sound source section by using the setting input by the user, Provided is a portable electronic device including a control unit that adjusts a volume corresponding to a level.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, comprising a noise measuring section for measuring a noise level in the surroundings, a sound source section for generating a voice, and The sound generated from the sound source unit, a control unit for adjusting to a volume corresponding to the noise level, the control unit, when the noise level changes during the generation of the sound, the noise level before the change There is provided a portable electronic device characterized in that the volume corresponding to the above is changed stepwise to a volume corresponding to the changed noise level by using at least one intermediate volume.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is a portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, and a speech acquisition unit for obtaining a voice uttered by a user and a noise level in the surroundings are measured. A noise measuring unit, a sound source unit that generates a voice, and when the volume of the voice acquired by the transmission acquisition unit is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the noise level of the voice generated from the sound source unit. There is provided a portable electronic device including a control unit for adjusting the volume to correspond to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for converting an electric signal in a portable electronic device into a sound, wherein the portable electronic device measures the frequency of ambient noise for each time zone. Input means to be obtained from the outside, using the frequency obtained by the input means, a noise obtaining means to obtain a noise level from the outside, a voice generating means to generate a voice, a voice to be generated using the voice generating means, A program characterized by being operated as control means for changing based on a noise level.

The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also serve as the invention.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and the features described in the embodiments Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a mobile phone which is an embodiment of the present invention. This mobile phone is equipped with a transmitting microphone 10.
0, receiver speaker 110, wireless unit 120, antenna 1
30, input unit 140, display unit 150, noise measuring unit 16
0, a ringtone speaker 170, and a control unit 190.

The transmission microphone 100 is an example of the transmission acquisition unit according to the present invention. Also, the receiving speaker 110 is
It is an example of a sound source unit according to the present invention.

The transmitting microphone 100 is a directional microphone that converts a user's voice into an electric signal and generates a transmission signal. The receiving speaker 110 converts the received signal of the speaking voice sent from the telephone of the other party into a voice and transmits it to the user. The radio unit 120 performs conversion between a transmission signal and a reception signal inside the mobile phone and a radio signal transmitted and received to and from the base station of the mobile phone system. Antenna 130
Transmits and receives radio wave signals to and from the base station of the mobile phone system.

The input section 140 is composed of input buttons including a numeric button, an on-hook button, an off-hook button, etc., and is used for inputting a telephone number of the other party when dialing or for inputting various settings including setting of a listening volume. The display unit 150 is
It is composed of a liquid crystal display device and has an input unit 14 when dialing.
It is used for displaying the destination telephone number input to 0, displaying various setting screens including the setting of the receiving volume, and displaying the destination telephone number when receiving a call.

The noise measuring section 160 is an omnidirectional microphone that converts noise into an electric signal and generates a noise level signal. The ringtone speaker 170 is a speaker that generates a ringtone.

The control unit 190 controls each unit of the mobile phone. Regarding the reception volume, the control unit 190 causes the noise measuring unit 160 to measure the ambient noise level based on the setting acquired from the user via the input unit 140 and the display unit 150. Then, during a call, the control unit 190 changes the volume of the received voice generated by the receiving speaker 110 based on the measured ambient noise level.

The control unit 190 controls the time zone setting table 2
Has 00. The time zone setting table 200 holds the time zone setting acquired from the user via the input unit 140 and the display unit 150.

FIG. 2 shows a time zone setting table 200 held by the control unit 190 of this mobile phone. The time zone setting table 200 holds the setting values of the noise level measurement cycle, the listening volume lower limit, and the listening volume upper limit for each time zone.
Further, the control unit 190 includes an input unit 140 and a display unit 150.
The setting value of the time zone setting table 200 is changed based on the earpiece volume setting acquired from the user using.

The noise level measuring cycle is determined by the noise measuring section 160.
The frequency at which the ambient noise level is measured is set for each time period, for example, as a cycle in seconds. The lower limit and upper limit of the listening volume are set to the lower limit and the upper limit of the listening volume for each time zone.

In the example of FIG. 2, the noise level measurement period is set to 120 seconds and the reception volume is set to 3 to 7 in the time zones of 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00. This is because desk work is the main activity during work hours, so movements are infrequent, and settings for using the listening volume that suits the workplace are desired.

Further, 12:00 to 13:00 and 17:
During the time period from 02:00 to 23:00, the noise level measurement cycle is 2
0 second or 60 seconds, and the listening volume is set to 5-10. This is because lunch time and normal living time are often in places where movement is frequent and noise is high.

Further, in the time zone from 23:00 to 9:00, the noise level measurement cycle is 3600 seconds, and the listening volume is 1 to
It is set to 3. This is because the user does not move during bedtime and the ambient noise is small.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an earpiece volume setting flow in the present mobile phone. First, the control unit 1
90 acquires the present time (S300).

Next, the control unit 190 acquires the noise level measurement cycle, the listening volume lower limit and the listening volume upper limit corresponding to the current time from the time zone setting table (S31).
0).

Next, the control unit 190 controls the noise measuring unit 160.
The ambient noise level is measured using (S320). Here, the noise level is a value of 0 or more and NMAX or less.

Next, the control unit 190 calculates the listening volume using the following formula from the range of the listening volume acquired in S310 and the ambient noise level measured in S320 (S3).
30). (Equation 1) listening volume = listening volume lower limit + (listening volume upper limit−listening volume lower limit) × noise level / NMAX

Next, the control unit 190 stores the received sound volume calculated in S330 in the control unit 190 (S340).

Next, the control unit 190 waits for the noise level measurement period acquired in S310 to elapse (S350). After that, the control unit 190 proceeds to the process of S300.

That is, the present mobile phone periodically changes the reception volume. The control unit 190 sets the volume of the reception voice generated by the reception speaker 110 during the call using the mobile phone to the reception volume stored in S340. As a result, the mobile phone can change the reception volume based on the ambient noise level.

Further, the noise measuring unit 160 is set to the transmitting microphone 10.
By providing it separately from 0, this mobile phone can process the reception volume setting flow shown in FIG. 3 even during a call.
At this time, if the listening volume is changed in S340 during a call,
The earpiece volume may change abruptly to give the user an unpleasant feeling. Therefore, the control unit 190, during the processing of S340,
During a call, processing such as changing the reception volume by only one unit is performed to reduce discomfort.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception volume setting flow in the mobile phone according to the modification of the present embodiment. The listening volume setting flow of FIG. 4 is obtained by adding S425 to the listening volume setting flow of FIG. First, the control unit 190 acquires the current time (S40).
0).

Next, the control unit 190 acquires the noise level measurement cycle, the listening volume lower limit and the listening volume upper limit corresponding to the current time from the time zone setting table (S41).
0).

Next, the control unit 190 controls the noise measuring unit 160.
Is used to measure the ambient noise level (S420). Here, the noise level is a value of 0 or more and NMAX or less.

Next, the control unit 190 checks whether or not the voice of the user received by the transmitting microphone 100 during a call exceeds a preset threshold value. talking,
If the volume received by the transmitting microphone 100 exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 190 advances the process to S450 (S4).
25).

Next, the control unit 190 calculates the listening volume using the following formula from the range of the listening volume acquired in S410 and the ambient noise level measured in S420 (S4).
30). (Equation 1) listening volume = listening volume lower limit + (listening volume upper limit−listening volume lower limit) × noise level / NMAX

Next, the control unit 190 stores the received sound volume calculated in S430 in the control unit 190 (S440).

Next, the control unit 190 waits for the elapse of the noise level measurement cycle acquired in S410 (S450). After that, the control unit 190 advances the processing to S400.

That is, the mobile phone according to the modification of the present embodiment detects the voice of the user during a call, and does not set the listening volume during the talk of the user. As a result, even when the noise measuring unit 160 acquires the user's voice as ambient noise, the control unit 19
0 can maintain an appropriate listening volume.

Further, the control unit 190 may allow the user to set the threshold value used in S425. That is, for example, the control unit 190 includes the input unit 140 and the display unit 1.
The user may use 50 to input a threshold setting. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 190 sets the transmitting microphone 10
It is also possible to obtain a sample of the voice used for setting the threshold value from the user via 0 and set the threshold value based on this volume.

Further, the control unit 190, in S425,
Instead of the volume received by the transmitting microphone 100, the transmitting microphone 1
You may use the average value of the sound volume which 00 receives in the predetermined period.

As described above, the mobile phone according to the present embodiment can set the frequency of measuring the ambient noise level for each time zone. As a result, the frequency of noise level measurement can be reduced, and power consumption can be suppressed. Further, the mobile phone according to the present embodiment can set the listening volume for each time zone, and can provide the listening volume suitable for each time zone. Furthermore, the mobile phone according to the present embodiment does not drastically change the reception volume even when the ambient noise level changes during a call. Therefore, the discomfort given to the user can be reduced.

Although the present invention has been described using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, the method for changing the listening volume shown in the present embodiment is applicable to various portable telephones, portable radios, portable music reproducing equipments, portable information terminals, portable medical equipments, and other various portable telephones for converting electric signals into voices. Applicable to electronic devices. In this case, in addition to the reception of the voice on the mobile phone, the voice is, for example, a voice produced by receiving a broadcast by a mobile TV or a mobile radio, a portable music reproducing device such as a cassette player, a CD player, an MD player, an IC recorder, an MP3 player, May be a reproduction sound generated by the user, a schedule notification sound by a schedule management function of a mobile information terminal, a deadline notification sound by a work list, a caution sound or an alarm sound in a portable medical device, or the like.

Furthermore, the time zone setting table 200 is
You may use the time zone which added the day of the week to the start time and the end time. Further, the time zone setting table 200 may separately hold the setting during a call.

Furthermore, the time zone setting table 200 is
The earpiece volume may be set using only one of the earpiece volume upper limit and the earpiece volume lower limit.

Further, the control unit 190 may calculate the reception volume using an arbitrary function including a non-linear one instead of the expression 1.

Furthermore, the time zone setting table 200 is
Before the user uses the input unit 140 and the display unit 150 to set, a preset set value may be held.

Further, the control unit 190 includes the noise measuring unit 16
A value obtained by averaging the noise level signal of 0 over a predetermined period may be used as the ambient noise level.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device capable of setting a suitable volume in accordance with the environment of use and a control program therefor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time zone setting table stored in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a reception volume setting flow of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception volume setting flow of the mobile phone according to the modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Transmission microphone 110 ... Earpiece speaker 120 ... Wireless unit 130 ... antenna 140 ... Input section 150 ... Display 160 ... Noise measurement section 170 ... Ringtone speaker 190 ... Control unit 200 ... Setting table by time zone

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, comprising: an input unit that externally acquires the frequency of measuring the ambient noise level for each time zone; and the frequency acquired by the input unit. And a noise measuring unit that measures the noise level, a sound source unit that generates a sound, and a control unit that changes the volume of the sound generated from the sound source unit based on the noise level. Electronics. 2. A portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, comprising: an input section for allowing a user to set at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit of a volume of the voice corresponding to a surrounding noise level; A noise measuring unit that measures a level, a sound source unit that generates a sound, and a control unit that adjusts the sound generated from the sound source unit to a volume corresponding to the noise level using a setting input by the user. A portable electronic device comprising: 3. A portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, comprising: a noise measuring unit for measuring a noise level in the surroundings; a sound source unit for generating a voice; A control unit that adjusts to a volume corresponding to a noise level, the control unit, when the noise level changes during the generation of the voice, from the volume corresponding to the noise level before the change, the control unit after the change. A portable electronic device characterized in that a change to a volume corresponding to a noise level is made in stages using at least one intermediate volume. 4. A portable electronic device for converting an electric signal into a voice, comprising a transmission acquisition unit for acquiring a voice uttered by a user, a noise measurement unit for measuring a surrounding noise level, and a sound source for generating a voice. And a control unit that adjusts the voice generated from the sound source unit to a volume corresponding to the noise level when the volume of the voice acquired by the transmission acquisition unit is less than or equal to a preset threshold value. A portable electronic device comprising: 5. A program for converting an electric signal in a portable electronic device into a voice, the portable electronic device comprising an input unit for externally acquiring the frequency of measuring the ambient noise level for each time zone, and the input. Using the frequency acquired by the unit, a noise measurement unit that acquires the noise level from the outside, a sound source unit that generates a sound, and the sound that is generated by the sound source unit are changed based on the noise level. A program characterized by being operated as a control unit.